top of page

Life Under NARC Attack

My latest book is a dissection of the narcissistic behaviors I’ve been subjected to, via my extended family members. The realization, that a family member is toxic can be painful, but acknowledging this truth is the first step towards protecting yourself. Youth had me seeing my family as people who didn’t seem to love me. You tell your child if you love them, right? I couldn’t understand why I was not lovable and never told that I was loved.


Toxic family members might taint your relationship with them via manipulatation of your emotions, or they might try to exploit your vulnerabilities, and use guilt filled demands to control you. I was told to be no less than perfect. Perfect grades, perfect silence, and forced to be a perfect little girl with zero opinions.

These behaviors can erode your self-esteem and I’m not alone in that detriment. Narcissists make you doubt your perceptions. It’s essential to trust your feelings and recognize when someone’s behavior is consistently harmful, regardless of how they are related to you. It is beneficial to prioritize your well-being, even if it means creating distance from family members.


Choose investing your time and energy in people who respect you and contribute to your happiness and growth.


It’s also important to recognize that distancing yourself from toxic individuals is not an act of selfishness, but one of literal self-preservation. Your mental and emotional health should always be a priority. Emotional abuse inflicted freezes one’s own emotions. By removing toxic influences, you create space for positive, nurturing relationships that allow you to flourish.


Toxic individuals can be incredibly adept at hiding their true intentions. They often present a facade that appears friendly, jovial, supportive, and caring. However, beneath this veneer lies manipulation, deceit, physical, or emotional abuse. Their havoc filled actions can leave you feeling drained, vulnerable, and questioning your entire self-worth. This behavior is not always limited to friends or acquaintances; it can also manifest within your own family, where it can be even more damaging due to the inherent trust and closeness of family bonds. Once that damage is inflicted, a persons trust begins to vanish. You can live within painful paranoia of distrust.


Family dynamics can be particularly challenging, because life has us respecting our parents. Family is meant to be a safe haven, a source of unconditional love and support. While this is true for many, it’s important to recognize some of us have toxic family members. Your need to be accepted in that den of narcissists has you yearning for some familiarity to other families you’ve seen. Adults with a longstanding presence, in your life, can make it difficult to comment on their harmful behavior.


Comments


Get in touch with Natalie by filling out
the form below

Thanks for contacting us!

© 2023 by Nataliemosleyklenoticbooks.com. All rights reserved.

bottom of page